CNBC

China's factory activity expanded its its fastest pace in three months to 50.8 in February, a private-sector survey showed on Monday, as millions of migrant workers returned to work after an extended Lunar New Year holiday. The seasonally adjusted Caixin/S&P Global manufacturing purchasing managers index beat the Reuters poll forecast of 50.3, accelerating from 50.1 in January and 50.5 last December. The private-sector manufacturing PMI has stayed above the 50 threshold that separates expansion from contraction since last October.

Sabbaticals aren't a common workplace perk. Here's how to approach your employer to ask for one and how to financially prepare if you decide to quit instead.

Shares of China's largest bubble tea chain Mixue jumped 28% on its market debut after a heavily oversubscribed initial public offering. The company had priced its initial public offering at HK$202.5 per share ($26.04) for 17.06 million shares, raising a total of HK$3.45 billion. The IPO has gained the support of five cornerstone investors, which include M&G Investments, HongShan Growth, Persistence Growth Limited, HHLR Fund and Meituan's Long-Z Fund.

When King Charles III visited Honeydale Farm in England's Cotswolds region, one of his first remarks was: "Monoculture. That's our problem." That's the recollection of the farm's owner Ian Wilkinson, as he walked down its drive with the then Prince Charles almost four years ago. "And I nodded, and thought: 'well, absolutely,'" Wilkinson told CNBC via video call.

Lenovo on Monday showed off a laptop with a foldable screen and one that can get extra battery life from solar power. These laptops are just concepts, meaning they are not commercially available. Lenovo, the world's biggest PC maker, has a history of showing off imaginative concepts with some becoming reality, so it's worth keeping an eye on what the Chinese technology giant is up to. For example, Lenovo previously showed off the idea of a rollable laptop — one where the screen rolls upwards to increase the size of the display. The company will begin selling such a laptop this year.

You can search your whole iPhone, switch between apps, access widgets or quickly access shortcuts to things like your flashlight or Wi-Fi controls.

Crowds gathered in a Vermont town on Saturday to protest Vice President JD Vance's visit to a local ski resort, the day after his explosive Oval Office clash with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Protesters lined a main thoroughfare in Waitsfield, Vermont, located near the Sugarbush Resort where Vance and his family were vacationing. They held signs that said, "Vance is a traitor go ski in Russia," "Trump serves Putin" and "Vance disgraces our country," among other fiery messages. A small group of protesters also gathered at the Sugarbush Resort, though a spokesperson for the resort said it was largely a "smooth day overall" at the slopes.

Graduates entering the workforce with good career prospects and high starting salaries are the most satisfied with their major, according to ZipRecruiter.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Sunday that President Donald Trump's proposed tariffs are unlikely to raise inflation, in part because China will "eat any tariffs that go on." Bessent's comments come just two days before the tariffs are scheduled to go into effect on Tuesday. Trump is expected to impose 25% tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada. The president also announced the U.S. would impose an extra 10% duty on Chinese imports, on top of the 10% tariff he levied on the country on Feb. 4. Some economists have raised concerns about the possibility that the tariffs could lead to an increase in inflation and keep interest rates elevated into 2026.

Legendary investor Warren Buffett made a rare comment on President Donald Trump's tariffs, saying punitive duties could trigger inflation and hurt consumers. "Tariffs are actually, we've had a lot of experience with them. They're an act of war, to some degree," said Buffett, whose conglomerate Berkshire Hathaway has large businesses in insurance, railroad, manufacturing, energy and retail. He made the remarks in an interview with CBS News' Norah O'Donnell for a new documentary on the late publisher of the Washington Post, Katharine Graham. "Over time, they are a tax on goods. I mean, the Tooth Fairy doesn't pay 'em!" Buffett said with a laughter. "And then what? You always have to ask that question in economics. You always say, 'And then what?'"